The Waterboys "Cloud of Sound" 2002-2012(rec) 2012(comp)***

When asked about my favorite groups, I usually don't mention The Waterboys. Why, I don't know. They slip my mind, I guess: I do love their albums, I've played them to death for almost 30 years. I've seen them live three or four times, and each time they were fantastic. After yesterday's concert at the Ancienne Belgique, I decided to upgrade them to one of my favorites. They've got tremendous songs and two fine frontmen in singer Mike Scott and violinist Steve Wickham, who strode the stage in a hat and coat out of a Dickensian BBC drama. Their latest incarnation is a tight and funky blues rock combo, with half of them coming from the American South: the guitarist comes from Austin (TX), organist from Memphis (TN) and on bass you have Muscle Shoals (AL) veteran David Hood. Then you have an English drummer they call The Professor, Steve Wickham who comes from Dublin, Ireland and, of course, the founder of the group Mike Scott is a Scot from Edinburgh. After the concert, feeling exhilarated, I looked at the T-shirt counter for a souvenir and came away with this CD. It may be a bit plain to look at but that's not the point. It's one of those tour-only CD's and comprises studio outtakes and a few live recordings from the 2002-2012 period. It's limited edition of 5000 copies - all supposed to be autographed by Mike, but I guess he got tired after signing a few hundred, because the ones on the counter weren't. Recording details are available on the official website.

What's with that white CD? I've never seen it in the shops

"Winter Blows" is a great, lyrical, opener. It was written 30 years ago but left out of the "This Is The Sea" album because it supposedly was too similar to "The Pan Within". This version was recorded in 2002 and overdubbed later. "Girl In The Swing" is a live song that reminds me very much of latter-day Nick Cave. The reason, I'm sure, is that Wickham's violin here is very loud and distorted, recalling the sound of The Bad Seeds' violinist Warren Ellis. Scott uses his singer/narrator voice. "Siochain Iona" is fan-ta-stic. I liked it back when it was called "Peace of Iona". Now that it's sung in Gaellic and the violin comes more to the fore, I absolutely love it. "Killing My Heart" is a fiery live version of that Waterboys classic, featuring some ripping Hammond organ. "Barbara Allen" is an olde English folk ballad and "Vigilante" a bluesy piece with an outlaw theme, culminating in a dramatic violin solo. If Tarantino makes another Western, he could use it for the soundtrack. "The Serpent's Head" is a Celtic-style instrumental which leads to "The Seven Woods", the reading of a WB Yeats poem with a backdrop of atmospheric synths. If you've heard The Doors' "An American Prayer", it's kinda in the same vein. "Silent Fellowship" is a serene melodic piece, previously released in different form as part of the "Universal Hall" album. "Straight With the Medicine" is a fast acoustic demo with a strong Bob Dylan-circa-2000 vibe. "The Passing of the Shee" is a poem by John Millington Synge, inspired by Irish lore. The music sounds like a failed reprise of Tom Waits' more experimental moments. "Mr. Wickham Composes" is some live improvised fiddle tunes and "Seek The Light" is the full length version of a "Universal Hall" track. It's characterized by electronic beats, synths and effects, the kind of studio noodling that often ended up on single B-sides, back when they actually released singles. Same with "Vampire’s Head". "Savage Earth Heart" is an improvised, hard-rocking live version of this early Waterboys track which they routinely used as a set closer. All in all, this CD is as good as can expected from an odds-and-ends compilation not destined for wider release. Rather fine as a concert souvenir or for the Waterboys completists, not so great as an introduction to the band.

The Waterboys at the Ancienne Belgique, Brussels 06/10/2015

Before and after:
Because, as everyone knows, French Fries are actually a Belgian invention and the obligatory late-night snack after a Brussels concert. Best enjoyed with Jupiler beer and Sauce Andalouse.


**** for Winter Blows (2012 mix), Siochain Iona
*** for The Girl in the Swing, Killing My Heart (Live), Barbara Allen, Vigilante, The Seven Woods, Silent Fellowship (2012 mix), Straight With the Medicine, Savage Earth Heart (Live)
** for The Serpent’s Head, The Passing of the Shee, Mr. Wickham Composes, Seek the Light (Extended), Vampire’s Head